| Animal Guides Although Native American tribes seem to be best known for totem work and for connecting spiritually with animals, nearly all people from all lands have connected with both the Earth and the power of animals at some point. Animals were not just hunted for food or just kept as pets, but they helped people to learn how to live off the land and to survive in some cases. People observed the way animal’s lived- how and where they found food, where they found water, etc. This may have lead to the connection that people began to feel with different animals. People noticed strengths and weaknesses of different animals and began to connect with them in ways- both spiritually and physically. An animal totem is simply an animal or group of animals that a person identifies with spiritually. They can also be called animal guides. The spirits of these animals chose to dwell with your own spirit and stay with you throughout your lifetime. It is believed by many that you do not choose what animal you are spiritually connected to. But some do believe that you choose your totem and they also choose you. You may have always been fascinated by bears, and one day you may find that you have been surrounded by the spirit of the bear your entire life. Ultimately, you may find that you posses the same strengths and weaknesses of your animal guide, or guides and that you need to learn the life lessons that these animals also learned. How do I meet my animal guides? There are many different methods of meeting your guides. As always, I will let you in on my personal method: Meditation is the best method of contacting any spirit guide, in my opinion. Sit on the floor and relax. Breathe deeply and slowly, allow all of your muscles to relax completely. Close your eyes and visualize a chord of light/energy flowing from your spine down through the Earth. Visualize it moving down, deep to the core of the Earth and connecting with it. Feel the warm energy of the Earth flowing through your body and feel its power strengthening you. Now, allow the darkness behind your eyelids to envelop you. Visualize a white light shining up ahead of you. Begin to visualize yourself walking toward this light. As you get closer, you notice that you are walking toward a doorway to another realm. When you arrive at the door, look out and see a beautiful, lush forest and step out onto the ground. Take in your surroundings, look at the trees, shrubs, grasses, weeds, flowers, etc. Walk about and take a good look at everything that surrounds you. As you look ahead of you, you see a pathway through the trees. Visualize yourself stepping onto the path and beginning to walk slowly. Walk a while, and then pause. Listen carefully and wait. Soon, you may see your animal guide approaching you. Take as much time as necessary, until your guide finds you. When you see this animal, speak with it, ask it any question you might have in mind. Or, maybe you just want to say hello at this point. It is your decision. Don't take too much time, make your first meeting brief. You are now establishing a relationship with your guide. When your meeting is finished, bid the animal farewell and say you will return again. Walk slowly back to the doorway you passed through and visualize yourself walking back through it. Step into the darkness once again, and see another light up ahead. Walk to the light, and visualize it slowly enveloping you and surrounding your entire being. Once you are surrounded by the light, open your eyes, your journey is complete. I found my animal totem, now what do I do? Your animals will very likely "speak" to you on occasion. They may do this through dreams, during meditation, or even while you are awake. When you're awake, you will not likely hear them speak words to you- and in other instances you may not hear spoken words. You might only "feel" what they are saying to you. Once you find your guides, you might understand what I mean here. I don't always hear my animal guides speaking as we humans do. Often I see them or just feel them urging my thoughts in a particular way. Now, they do not manipulate your thoughts or actions, but only give you suggestions. You might wonder what move to make next and suddenly have a thought enter your head that seems reasonable. That might be your guide speaking to you. As you develop a relationship with your guide, or guides, you will know when they are speaking to you. They, like your spirit guides, can offer advice and help lead you in life lessons. Animal guides have special lessons to teach us, can help us to utilize our energies, learn to interact with others, etc. They have much to offer, and it is a true blessing to have the companionship of an animal guide. Just remember that they are not here to tell you every move to make, just as your spirit guides don't tell you how to live your life or make your decisions for you. How do I find information on my totem? Read, read, read! Learn what your animals represent, learn what they eat, what their habits are, where in the world they live, what sounds they make, etc. Learn their strengths and weaknesses. As you learn, you will find out why these animals are so close to you, and why they chose your spirit. You may see that many of your weaknesses are similar to the weaknesses of your animal totems, and that many of your strengths are similar. Also, find out what elements your animals correspond to. Some will be obvious, such as birds (Air), ground dwellers, like prairie dogs (Earth). But some will not be so obvious. Animals that transmutation, or change in some form in their lives (caterpillars/butterflies, tadpoles/frogs, snakes shedding their skin, etc.) most likely will correspond with Fire. But don't see these correspondences as being absolute- some animals might even correspond with more than one element. Ask your animals what elements they feel as their correspondences. You might get an answer you do not expect. Asking your animals questions is the best way to learn everything you want to know about them. |
 |